Background:

Jane Austen, author of “Pride and Prejudice”, “Sense and Sensibility”, “Emma” and “Persuasion”, wrote refined romance novels that took place in the Regency Era of 1800’s England. Her passionate stories contain strong feminist undertones, protesting the confinement of women during that era. Nevertheless, each one of Austen’s heroines finds her proper place as the fiancée of an Austen heartthrob.

Countless film and television adaptations can be found, ranging from the by-the-book miniseries, “Pride and Prejudice”, with Colin Firth, to the quirky “Clueless” set in Beverly Hills and based on “Emma”.

“Austenland” is not a film adaptation of an Austen novel. In fact, as you watch the film, you can pretty much throw most of this information out of the window. That is, except for the clothes and essence of the Regency era and the inevitable romance with a Mr. Darcy-esque suitor.  “Austenland” shines, not because of its eager Austen references but because of its awkward and striking humor and the irresistibility that comes with being a Romcom with British men.

Plot:

The film is about a woman named Jane Hayes (Kerri Russel) who is obsessed with Jane Austen. Austen books and movies have taken over her life, especially her love life. No one can compare to the brooding, introverted romantic, Fitzwilliam Darcy (Google “Darcy Pride and Prejudice Colin Firth.” It will be worth your time).

She decides that in order to bust this obsession once and for all, she will try exposure therapy; meaning she will temporarily live in an “immersive Jane Austen experience.” Along with having Regency Era garb, food, activities, and rules, she will also have attractive actors who play Austen archetypes (such as Mr. Darcy of course).

But after a fling with a gardener and many encounters with Mr. Nobley (the resident Mr. Darcy), separating reality from the game of “Austenland” proves difficult for Jane.

Not to worry, just like in Jane Austen’s novels, there is a happy ending!

The majority of  the humor in “Austenland” is found from the elderly guest, Miss Charming’s (Jennifer Coolidge) ridiculous malapropisms and failed attempts to sound British. She constantly hits on all the actors despite their thinly veiled discomfort, misinterpreting the colloquial sayings and idioms of the Regency Era in ridiculous ways. The rest of the film’s fun, awkward humor falls to slapstick and the idiosyncrasies of the residents of “Austenland”.

“Austenland” is the ideal movie for you if you want to laugh, have a hunger for an adorable, quirky, British romcom, or if you just can’t resist Mr. Darcy.